Process for making graft copolymers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for forming graft copolymers from perfluoroolefins and perfluorovinyl ethers having fluorosulfonyl and fluorosulfonate functionality with selected polymers, and the uncrosslinked graft copolymers resulting therefrom.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A non-crosslinked polymer comprising a polymer having a backbone which comprises at least 50 mol-% methylene units, and a pendant group comprising a radical represented by the formula 
       
         
           —CH 2 —CH 2 —CR 5 R 6 R 7 X  
         
       
       wherein R 5  and R 6  are each independently fluorine or perfluoroalkyl, R 7  is fluorinated alkylene optionally containing ether oxygen, and X is a radical represented by the formula 
       
         
           —Y(M)(SO 2 R 4 ) p    
         
       
       wherein Y is C or N, M is hydrogen or an alkali metal, R 4  is a perfluoroalkyl radical having 1-10 carbons optionally substituted by one or more ether oxygens, and p=1 or 2 with the proviso that p=1 when Y is N and p=2 when Y is C. 
     
     
       2. The polymer of  claim 1  further comprising up to 50 mol-% of monomer units selected from the group consisting of olefins, acrylates, vinyl acetates, styrenes, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The polymer of  claim 2  having 100 mol-% of methylene units. 
     
     
       4. The polymer of  claim 2  wherein M is lithium. 
     
     
       5. The polymer of  claim 2  wherein Y is N, p=1, and R 4  is perfluoralkyl having 1-4 carbons. 
     
     
       6. The polymer of  claim 2  wherein Y is C, p=2, and R 4  is perfluoralkyl having 1-4 carbons. 
     
     
       7. An ionically conductive composition comprising the polymer of  claim 1  and an organic carbonate. 
     
     
       8. The ionically conductive composition of  claim 7  wherein the organic carbonate is a mixture of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate.